Part 1 - Why We Chose to Move Back to the Village

For most of our life, we thought the city was the only place to grow. That’s where the jobs were, the schools were better, and opportunities seemed endless. But the reality of city living started to weigh heavier each year—long commutes, polluted air, constant stress, and a sense of always running but never really arriving anywhere.

At some point, we began asking ourselves a difficult question: Is this really living?

That question eventually led us to purchase land in Sindhudurg, a place we now call Farm Abdhidvipa.

The mindset shift

Reverse migration is not about giving up or going backwards. It’s about valuing things the city can’t give—health, happiness, and a deeper connection with nature. If you’ve reached the point of considering land or farming, it usually means you’re already craving more than just financial returns. You’re looking for life returns.

But here’s the truth—it’s not all romantic sunsets and baskets of organic vegetables. The village teaches you patience. It tests your adaptability. And it reminds you that humans are part of nature, not separate from it. Once you embrace that, the transition feels less like a sacrifice and more like coming home.

Our first steps in Sindhudurg

When we made the move five years ago, the first priority was to build a simple, functional house that kept us close to the land. Then we turned our focus to planting. Today, Farm Abdhidvipa has: Areca nut, Coconut palms, Jackfruit trees, different varieties of Mango, Breadfruit, Cashew, Water Jam, Jamun, Sapota (chickoo), Papaya, lots of Bananas, plenty of Kokum different medicinal and flower plants, which thrives in this soil. Crops like Rice, Ragi, Cowpea, and Horse gram are also grown with vegetables.

Water security was next. A pond and well now sustain the farm, and we installed a 5kW solar system to reduce our dependency on the grid. Slowly, the land began to come alive.

And because no farm feels complete without animals, we added four Indian cows, a loyal dogs, and of course, our cats. Together, they bring energy and companionship to the farm—they’re as much a part of Abdhidvipa as the trees and fields.

What this really means

Looking back, the decision wasn’t about leaving something behind—it was about moving toward a healthier, more meaningful life. Every day here brings something the city could never offer: the satisfaction of watching a tree grow, the peace of listening to birds instead of vehicle horns, the joy of working with your own hands, and the bond of living closely with animals.

Reverse migration is not about retreat. It’s about redefining progress on your own terms.

This is just the beginning of our story. In the next part, we’ll share the hard lessons from adjusting to the “slow life”—including why patience becomes your greatest ally, how to live with fewer choices, and what it means to accept delays with a smile.